By Waheed Khan KARACHI, Pakistan (Reuters) - A hearing on Friday into Pakistan skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq's actions during the Oval test ball-tampering controversy has been postponed, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Wednesday.

The postponement came after adjudicator Ranjan Madugalle said he was unable to attend because of a family illness. Pakistan skipper Inzamam is charged with bringing the game into disrepute.

"The difficulty relates to the availability of Ranjan Madugalle to chair the hearing as he is dealing with a private and personal matter that requires his urgent attention," ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed said in a statement. "Pakistan and England, as the host country, have both expressed a preference for Ranjan to hear the case and on that basis we have agreed to the postponement."

The delay would appear to pave the way for the one-day series starting next week between England and Pakistan to go ahead. Pakistan players and their coach Bob Woolmer had suggested that if Inzamam were banned, they could pull out of the tour starting with a match against Middlesex on Thursday.

'IMMENSE CREDIBILITY'

Speed's statement continued: "We have looked at potential alternatives but, as the ICC'S chief referee and a person with immense credibility within the game, Ranjan is the most appropriate person to adjudicate in this matter."

"We are yet to decide upon a new date but the intense nature of the upcoming one-day international series between England and Pakistan is likely to make it extremely difficult to fit in a hearing during that period."

The controversy began on Sunday in the fourth and final test at the Oval in London when England were awarded five runs after the umpires decided the ball had been illegally tampered with by the Pakistan team. Pakistan staged a protest after the tea interval by refusing to take to the field and the umpires awarded the match to England giving them a 3-0 series victory.

INITIAL DISMAY

That decision caused initial dismay to fans and players and spread to a darkening mood with racial, religious and political undertones in Pakistan. Much of the Pakistan camp's ire has been directed at Australian umpire Darrell Hair whose "intransigence" they blamed for initially sparking the controversy.

Hair on Wednesday told the Sydney Daily Telegraph that he stood by his actions and he has been backed in his home country by a host of leading cricket figures including spinner Shane Warne.

Pakistan board chairman Shaharyar Khan confirmed on Wednesday that Pakistan believed Hair had been hard on Inzamam and the team.

"I can understand why our players are upset and angry. We are also firm we will fight this case through. Our lawyers are preparing a brief and may even ask for forensic evidence of the ball to support the umpire's allegation," he told Reuters.

"But the lawyers have also spoken to Inzamam and their advice is we should not do anything that spoils all the support and sympathy we have got in the English and Pakistan media and among former players," he stated.

Media in Britain have reported that leading sports lawyer Mark Gay will handle the case for Pakistan. (Additional reporting by Jon Bramley in London)